The Best Mudslide Cocktail Recipe
Velvety. Boozy. Ridiculously indulgent. The Mudslide cocktail is dessert in a glass, with a little extra kick. This classic drink combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur to deliver a creamy, chocolatey hit that’s as smooth as your best pick-up line and twice as effective.
Originally whipped up in the 1970s at a bar in the Cayman Islands, the Mudslide was reportedly created on the fly when a customer asked for a White Russian, and the bar was fresh out of cream. The bartender grabbed a bottle of Irish cream instead, and the rest is cocktail history. Today, it’s loved the world over by anyone who’s ever wanted their nightcap to double as dessert.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a soft spot for cocktails with a bit of flair, this one’s for you.
What You’ll Need For The Perfect Mudslide
The Mudslide might be a drinkable dessert, but the key to nailing it lies in balance and top-notch ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Vodka – the boozy backbone of the drink. Choose something clean and smooth; we recommend something from our award-winning Good George Spirits range.
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Coffee liqueur – adds a rich, roasted depth. Kahlúa is a go-to, but feel free to experiment.
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Irish cream liqueur – for that unmistakable creamy texture and a touch of sweetness.
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Ice – use fresh cubes for shaking or crushed ice for blending.
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Glassware – a chilled rocks glass or coupe will do nicely.
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Optional extras – chocolate sauce, whipped cream, crushed biscuits... You get the idea.
Pro tip: The better the ingredients, the better the blend. Cheap liqueurs tend to make things overly sweet and a little synthetic. Go premium where it counts.
How to Make a Mudslide Cocktail
Making a Mudslide is as easy as saying, “One more won’t hurt.” You’ve got two options: shaken or blended.
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Shaken Mudslide: Add all your ingredients to a shaker with ice, give it a good shake, and strain into your glass. Clean, classic, and perfect for sipping.
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Blended Mudslide: Toss everything in a blender with ice and whizz until smooth. Think boozy milkshake, but make it grown-up.
Either way, you’re in for a treat.
Variations of the Mudslide Cocktail
Want to take your Mudslide to the next level? Try these tweaks:
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Flavoured vodka: Swap standard vodka for vanilla, caramel, or even hazelnut.
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Ice cream twist: Skip the ice and use a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream for a thick, decadent dessert-style version.
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Toppings galore: Add whipped cream, crushed Oreos, shaved chocolate, or a drizzle of caramel for an Instagram-worthy glass.
The Mudslide is the kind of cocktail that loves to dress up, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
Mudslide Cocktail FAQs
Do I have to blend a Mudslide cocktail?
Nope! While blended Mudslides are popular for their milkshake-like texture, the shaken version is just as tasty and a little quicker to make. Both are delicious, it’s all down to preference (and whether your blender is clean).
Is this a dessert or a drink?
It’s both! The Mudslide straddles that beautiful line between nightcap and indulgent treat. It’s perfect after dinner, but honestly, who’s judging if you want one earlier?
Can I make this non-dairy?
Absolutely. There are some great dairy-free Irish cream alternatives on the market now, and paired with plant-based coffee liqueurs, you can keep it creamy without the cow.
Can I make a Mudslide cocktail batch?
Yes! Just multiply the recipe and stir in a pitcher over ice. Keep the ratio consistent and serve cold. It’s a great crowd-pleaser for dinner parties or lazy Sundays.
Mudslide Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
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40ml vodka
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30ml coffee liqueur
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30ml Irish cream liqueur
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Ice (or ice cream if blending)
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Optional: chocolate syrup, whipped cream, crushed biscuits
Instructions
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Add vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
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Shake well until chilled, about 10 seconds.
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Strain into a chilled rocks glass or coupe.
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For a blended version, add ingredients and ice to a blender and blitz until smooth.
Serving Suggestions
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Drizzle chocolate sauce inside the glass before pouring for a rich visual (and flavour) effect.
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Top with whipped cream and crushed chocolate biscuits to dial up the decadence.
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Serve it as an after-dinner stunner, at your next cocktail party, or whenever life calls for something deliciously over-the-top.
Ready to try it? Grab what you need from the Good George spirits range, and treat yourself to the best kind of mess, one you sip through a straw.
